Wanted Presque Isle Man Killed In Shootout With Massachusetts Police

A Presque Isle man being sought in connection with an alleged sexual assault was killed in a shootout with police in Massachusetts.

40-year-old Michael Brown was sought by police in connection with an alleged sexual assault. Maine State Police had listed him as possibly armed and dangerous and expected that he would try to leave the state.

On Thursday night, police in Malden, New Hampshire recognized Brown as being wanted in Maine on the sexual assault case, as well as firearms and stolen motor vehicle charges. They initiated a pursuit that was picked up by Massachusetts State Police when he crossed the border. The Portland Press Herald reports the pickup he was driving was allegedly stolen from an uncle and that friends told police he said he had no intention of being caught. Police say Brown fired shots at troopers and, at one point, was driving the wrong way on a one-way interstate.

The chase ended in Newton, New Hampshire, when Brown crashed his vehicle into a tree. Authorities say troopers then opened fire. The suspect suffered a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. It's not clear, at this point, if he was shot by police or whether it was self-inflicted.